Best Spearfishing in Africa

Ever dreamed of spearfishing in waters where wild beauty meets pure adrenaline? Africa is one of the last true frontiers for ocean hunters — a continent where coral reefs, open currents, and deep bluewater meet dramatic coastlines. From Mozambique’s turquoise shallows to South Africa’s sharky reefs and the volcanic drop-offs of Tanzania, the opportunities are as vast as the landscapes above. Whether you’re new to the sport or chasing pelagics in remote waters, Africa’s spearfishing scene offers raw adventure, ancient tradition, and unforgettable encounters.

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5 Best Spearfishing Sites in Africa

1. South Africa – The Wild Coast

South Africa is synonymous with big-game spearfishing. The famous KwaZulu-Natal coast offers everything from shallow reef hunts to open-ocean drift dives with yellowfin tuna and wahoo. Aliwal Shoal and Sodwana Bay are hotspots, where crystal water and lively currents draw king mackerel, amberjack, and cobia. Local charters cater to all levels, and the country’s strong spearfishing community ensures safe, ethical practices.

Best time to visit: April to October for warm water and ideal visibility.

2. Egypt – The Red Sea Frontier

While better known for scuba diving, the Red Sea is also one of the best regions in Africa for controlled, sustainable spearfishing. Warm, clear water and predictable conditions make it accessible for beginners, while offshore reefs challenge the pros. Common catches include grouper, snapper, and trevally. The Red Sea’s combination of easy access, vibrant coral, and reliable conditions make it a favourite among travelling spearfishers.

Best time: March to November for consistent visibility and mild seas.

3. Mozambique – Turquoise Waters and Trophy Fish

Mozambique’s coastline stretches over 2,400 kilometres of reef, sandbank, and deep channel. The Bazaruto Archipelago is a paradise of calm water, colourful coral, and abundant fish life — from jobfish and kingfish to giant trevally. Offshore, spearfishers can chase wahoo and sailfish in the Mozambique Channel, often with dolphins and manta rays for company.

Best time: May to December for calm seas and dry weather.

4. Madagascar – Pristine and Powerful

Madagascar’s remote reefs and seamounts are perfect for those who crave exploration. Around Nosy Be and the Mitsio Archipelago, spearfishers find coral trout, trevally, and large grouper among vivid coral formations. Offshore, the deeper blue hosts tuna and dorado. It’s an untouched world — one where nature feels bigger, wilder, and more intimate than anywhere else.

Best time: September to December for the clearest water and best visibility.

5. Tanzania – Islands of Adventure

The islands off Tanzania’s coast, including Pemba and Mafia, are world-class spearfishing destinations. Pemba, in particular, combines incredible visibility with steep walls where dogtooth tuna, marlin, and kingfish roam. Local operators offer guided expeditions that combine sustainable spearfishing with freediving technique and ocean education.

Best time: November to March for bluewater pelagics; June to October for reef species.

Why Spearfish Africa

From the calm, tropical archipelagos of the Indian Ocean to South Africa’s wild continental shelf, spearfishing in Africa delivers a true sense of freedom. Every dive here is a dance between patience and power — a journey into waters that remain as untamed as the continent itself.

Spearfishing in Africa is a pursuit of the extraordinary, where the boundary between hunter and environment blurs in the vast blue. Along the eastern coastline, from Tanzania to Mozambique, the warm currents of the Indian Ocean provide the perfect habitat for world-record-class pelagics like Dogtooth Tuna, Wahoo, and Giant Trevally. This is "blue water" hunting at its most primal, requiring not just physical stamina but a deep understanding of the tides and the behavior of the apex predators that patrol the deep drop-offs of remote atolls.

Further south, the game changes as the water cools and the energy intensifies. The rugged shores of South Africa and Namibia offer a more visceral challenge, where heavy swells and nutrient-rich upwellings attract massive Yellowfin Tuna and the elusive White Musselcracker. In these waters, spearfishing is as much a test of mental grit as it is a sporting endeavor. Whether you are stalking the kelp forests of the Cape or drifting over the volcanic ridges of Cape Verde, Africa rewards the disciplined diver with a sustainable, "ocean-to-table" experience that is unparalleled in its raw intensity and spiritual connection to the sea.

When to Spearfish Africa

The best time to spearfish Africa, water temperatures, and visibility:

Egypt (Red Sea): Year-round, best March to November. Waters from 22°C / 72°F and 20-40m vis.
South Africa (Cape Town): October to April. Waters from 14°C / 57°F and 5-15m vis.
South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal): Year-round, best April to September. Waters from 20°C / 68°F and 10-25m vis.
Mozambique: April to December. Waters from 24°C / 75°F and 15-30m vis.
Tanzania (Zanzibar): June to October and January to February. Waters from 26°C / 79°F and 15-30m vis.
Seychelles: March to May and September to November. Waters from 27°C / 81°F and 15-30m vis.
Mauritius: November to April. Waters from 26°C / 79°F and 20-30m vis.